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21 THINGS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME WHILE I WAS IN THE CLOSET

The closet is a very scary and lonely place for gay people. At a time when you need help the most, you are too afraid to reach out, for reaching out means admitting something that feels so shameful. Opening up to another person also places you in a terrifyingly vulnerable position. How will they react? What will they say? Who will they tell?

For anyone still in the closet or for anyone who may want to support someone who has not yet come out, here is the list of 21 things that I wish someone had said to me while I was in the closet:

You are loved

There is nothing wrong with you

You are normal

This is not a phase

This is not a punishment

Your true friends will stay by your side and those that don’t were never your true friends

Your family will love you no less

Those who hate you are ignorant and scared

There will come a time when your sexuality will not be your most defining characteristic

You are destined for great things

You will fall in love

You’ll discover that the guy who bullied you was dealing with his own demons

You are created in the image of God. God doesn’t make mistakes. God is perfect, therefore you are perfect

You cannot pretend to be someone who you’re not – it’s exhausting

You don’t have to conform to a stereotype

You will find amazing inclusive communities where your sexuality is of little consequence

You don’t have to be lonely

You don’t have to be scared

Everything is going to be ok

A burden will be lifted off your shoulders once you accept yourself

You will never regret coming out of the closet

Anything else you wish someone had said to you while in the closet? Leave it in the comments.